When Tony Stark jumpstarts a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and Earth's Mightiest Heroes, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye, are put to the ultimate test as they battle… MoreWhen Tony Stark jumpstarts a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and Earth's Mightiest Heroes, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye, are put to the ultimate test as they battle to save the planet from destruction at the hands of the villainous Ultron.

Consensus:
Exuberant and eye-popping, Avengers: Age of Ultron serves as an overstuffed but mostly satisfying sequel, reuniting its predecessor's unwieldy cast with a few new additions and a worthy foe.

Cary Darling

Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com

Fans of the franchise will be pleased, but those looking in from the outside of comic-book culture may find themselves also looking at their watches.

"Avengers: Age of Ultron" is a sometimes daffy, occasionally baffling, surprisingly touching and even romantic adventure with one kinetic thrill after another. It earns a place of high ranking in the Marvel Universe.

Like a true Avenger, this movie's greatest strength is also its weakness: its light-hearted and playful tone makes for some fun moments, but they also rob… MoreLike a true Avenger, this movie's greatest strength is also its weakness: its light-hearted and playful tone makes for some fun moments, but they also rob this film of any real depth, emotion or suspense. While Marvel movies are good at being fun to watch with their bright action sequences and lively banter between characters (even during what is supposed to be heated battle), at a certain point it gets old. Throughout the film there is no doubt the Avengers will defeat Ultron, so the interest then lies in how they will defeat him, and the answer is a disappointing "they simply over power him." If you enjoy this Marvel series where the villains emerge with no real interesting motive and are beaten at the drop of a hat, then of course this movie is a must see. I'm just holding out hope that Marvel takes more risks in their future films.

Albert Kim

I was one of the few people that didn't particularly enjoy the first Avengers film. Yes yes, I know. It was enjoyable, but being heralded as one of the… MoreI was one of the few people that didn't particularly enjoy the first Avengers film. Yes yes, I know. It was enjoyable, but being heralded as one of the comic book movie greats? I beg to differ. With Joss Whedon taking the helm for the second time, "Age of Ultron" improves upon the first but not without its fair share of problems.
The Avengers faces an anomoly. With old and new faces alike, the Marvel universe -- the Avengers in particular -- continues to be a powerhouse because of its cast. From everyone including Robert Downey Jr. to the highly underrated Elizabeth Olsen, it's a feat to see so many great actors on one screen, but this is also the Avengers' greatest vice as well. The narrative, though it does fixate on key characters from time to time, is an absolute mess; it has the daunting task to give each and every character the limelight. It attempts to tell a convincing narrative where every character fulfills their role and convey their motives. Not only that, but the film also needs to leave room to new characters. So once the film takes the time to slow down to portray a character's story arch, it's not very effective. Surprisingly, Joss Whedon manages to make the film not feel bloated as bloated as the film sounds.
The Avengers faces much opposition with its very medium. The biggest sales pitch it provides is the wide array of different superheroes getting together. But its very own allure is also an almost impossible task -- to portray a cohesive, entertaining, immersive film alongside so many characters. There's no way to work around this issue when the very foundation of an Avengers movie is to bring many people together in one showdown.
Despite such an apparent flaw, "Age of Ultron" is a damn good time. Unlike the first film, action set-pieces carry weight. Though it doesn't carry impendent action-set pieces like "Captain America 2: The Winder Soldier", there is a level of tension in the sophomore outing that the first considerably lacked. This alone makes the action all the more exciting, exhilarating, and downright fun. Not only this, but Joss Whedon has a sure knack of writing great comedy bits. "Age of Ultron" is more witty, funny, action-packed, tense, and perhaps even more cohesive than its predecessor.
Yes, "Age of Ultron" hits a huge wall that perhaps can never be vaulted over in future Avengers films. But despite such a shortcoming, there's no denying that it overcomes many of its predecessor's flaws. Hell, it's summertime; enjoy it as it is: a damn good popcorn, action packed movie.

JY Skacto

Joss Whedon's Avengers: Age of Ultron gets straight to the point and straight to the action.
For a film easily over 2 hours, there isn't a heavy… MoreJoss Whedon's Avengers: Age of Ultron gets straight to the point and straight to the action.
For a film easily over 2 hours, there isn't a heavy dosage of solid storytelling. The plot details more or less hold the action segments together to complete the puzzle.
The action and destruction is in high abundance, backed with a high reliance on CG; easily the more memorable pieces of the picture.
Hats off to James Spader for providing a suitable voice for Ultron, whom is a scene stealer of a character much like Paul Bettany. Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Elizabeth Olsen are good additions, but don't get enough character buildup to pull themselves above the usual suspects.
Avengers: Age of Ultron lacks the punch of greatness but manages to come together as an entertaining adventure.

Eugene Bernabe

Aside from a hiccup in developing its new acquisitions to the team, the sequel to Marvel's behemoth ensemble is surreal in every other way. The film's… MoreAside from a hiccup in developing its new acquisitions to the team, the sequel to Marvel's behemoth ensemble is surreal in every other way. The film's constant action, humor and vast entertainment delivers; making Avengers: Age of Ultron an exceptional installment for Marvel moving forward to the next phase in its cinematic universe. 4.5/5

Jim Hunter

The Avengers battle an artificial intelligence war machine.
Basically inoffensive, the latest installment of the summer superhero blockbusters doesn't fall… MoreThe Avengers battle an artificial intelligence war machine.
Basically inoffensive, the latest installment of the summer superhero blockbusters doesn't fall into the ruts that many of its predecessors remain. For example, Captain America 2 attempted to deal with the ethical problems of government surveillance, a subject that it simply wasn't smart enough to tackle with the complexity necessary. Here, we see the bad guy is evil in the second act, and that evil is fairly basic.
At a certain point the film became a who's who of stars who appeared in other Marvel films: &quot;You get a cameo, you get a cameo, everyone gets a cameo ... except Natalie Portman and Gwyneth Paltrow because they're expensive and we might be sexist.&quot;
Many of these summer action films bore me because I know exactly how most of the fights are going to end, and like a comedy that isn't funny, an action film that bores is a bad action film.. This film was no exception, but there was enough interesting choreography to keep me from checking my phone to see when the next showing of Ex Machina was.
Overall, it was an unremarkable entry into the summer event film canon.

Mark Hobin

A big part of the narrative involves the gang coming to terms with their feelings. Assisting them in this is Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen). Her power is to… MoreA big part of the narrative involves the gang coming to terms with their feelings. Assisting them in this is Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen). Her power is to get inside people's heads. She disorients them with visions of their fears. There's several dream sequences that put division amongst the Avengers. In fact much of the tale, in between conventional combat, is centered on Avengers who just wanna go home and walk away from all this. Ah, that's what was missing from the last Avengers movie, existentialist mumbo jumbo. Jeremy Renner's Hawkeye gets an expanded back-story that seeks to further humanize him. There's even room for a burgeoning romance between Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow and Mark Ruffalo's Hulk. I hesitate to use an adjective like boring, especially in a film with so much visual stimuli thrown at the screen, but these arbitrary developments aren't captivating. How about lame? Is that a better word?
fastfilmreviews.com

KJ Proulx

Nearing the close of phase two, it is once again time for the Marvel heroes we all know and love, to team up to fight an even greater foe, in Vision.… MoreNearing the close of phase two, it is once again time for the Marvel heroes we all know and love, to team up to fight an even greater foe, in Vision. "Avengers: Age of Ultron" will certainly not gain any new fans if they were not too fond of the first, however, on a storytelling standpoint, it is just as good, if not better than the film that preceded it. No, it does not have that spark you felt while watching the characters form a team as you saw in "Marvel's The Avengers," but it does have deeper and more caring character moments, developing everyone even more. Without over-crowding the film too much, Joss Whedon has crafted a script that gives everyone their proper screen time and nobody really shines more than the other. Working Hawkeye's personal life into the story was a very nice touch, making for some fantastic bonding moments between the characters. The two main additions (Wanda and Pietro Maximoff) played by Elizabeth Olsen and Aaron Taylor-Johnson did a very good job making us care for new characters in the midst of having such an incredibly performed Ultron (James Spader) and the long awaited reveal of Paul Bethany's Vision. Olsen and Taylor-Johnson could have done without their accents, but that is really the only complaint I have with them.
The biggest issue this film has is it's spectacle fatigue. During this film, you cannot help but feel like you have seen a few of these elements before, but I found myself forgiving that fact after realizing that an Avengers film without an army would be pretty dull. The main cast has amazing chemistry once again and their interaction, coupled with an extremely witty script, is an absolute blast to watch. Written and directed superbly as always, filmed with ease, and effects that make you believe an Artificially Intelligent robot can be more menacing than any villain on screen in the past while, "Avengers: Age of Ultron" is a worthy sequel in every way. The only thing keeping fans from possibly not enjoying it as much as the first is the faint aspect of fatigue they may feel. Aside from that, the film does exactly what it sets out to do, and does so perfectly. Is it a perfect film? No, but an Avengers film that is perfect sounds less fun in my opinion. This is the reason people go to see big blockbusters! For that reason, I could not recommend this film more. If you are a fan of Marvel, you will have a blast in the theatre with this film. Amazing fun!

Ross Collins

Avengers versus Transformers

Nate Zoebl

The Avengers wasn't just a blockbuster it was a mega-blockbuster and rewrote the Hollywood playbook in the summer of 2012. It wasn't just about… MoreThe Avengers wasn't just a blockbuster it was a mega-blockbuster and rewrote the Hollywood playbook in the summer of 2012. It wasn't just about powerful franchises anymore. Now it was about franchises that would link into a super franchise. Sony got anxious to expand their Spider-Man universe in a similar fashion as Marvel had done in buildup to The Avengers. After one poor movie, that plan was scuttled and now Spider-Man is being rebooted for the second time in five years, this time with active help from Marvel itself (look for Spidey to appear in Captain America 3). Writer/director Joss Whedon (TV's Buffy the Vampire Slayer) was the mastermind behind the jaunty smash-em-up fun of The Avengers and was quickly signed on for a sequel after the billion-dollar mark was crossed. With great success comes great risk of upsetting that continued success. It feels like Whedon's hands were tied to the greater forces at work. As a result, I shouldn't be surprised but I'm still disappointed with how muddled and overstuffed as Age of Ultron comes across.
The Avengers are cleaning up the last remnants of HYDRA, taking them to a castle in a fictional Eastern European country. The HYDRA doctor has been genetically experimenting on volunteers, birthing Wanda "Scarlet Witch" (Elizabeth Olsen) and Pietro "Quicksilver" Maximoff (Aaron Taylor-Johnson). She can tap into people's minds and he can run super fast. They've got a grudge against the Avengers, particularly industrialist Tony Stark/Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.). Stark takes a piece of alien technology and plugs it into his home system to build a super fleet of automated robots to patrol the world. In no time, the A.I. has taken form in the shape of an insane robot named Ultron (James Spader) whose mission is to save the planet by eliminating mankind. He builds an army of robotic soldiers with the assistance of the Maximoff twins. Tony, along with Captain America (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), and Bruce "The Hulk" Banner (Mark Ruffalo), must stop Ultron while not destroying much of the world themselves with their collateral damage.
Eleven movies into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), a movie of the size of an Avengers sequel cannot simply be a movie. It's too important to the overall vision of the MCU, and so it has to set up and establish other characters, franchises, and the many monetary tributaries that keep the world of superheroes going. It's already got a slew of superheroes and it adds even more new faces into the mix (I guess we needed an Avengers B-Team). The development of Ultron is also far too rushed; it's literally minutes from being plugged in that he's already settled into kill-all-Avengers mode. The movie barely has any time to even contemplate the perils of artificial intelligence before Ultron is already proving their fears correct. While Ultron is a fun villain (more on that later) his plan feels quite haphazard. His biggest strategic advantage is his duplication, the fact that he can exist without a physical body and can inhabit many bodies at once. Except for a hasty escape via the Internet and a climax stuffed with CGI robot mayhem, this advantage isn't really explored. Why does a self-replicating creature beyond the bounds of physicality need or even desire a physical body? If you're made from a nigh indestructible metal and can control numerous beings at once with a hive-mind intelligence link, why would you want to be turned into flesh thanks to what amounts to a 3D printer? The introduction of The Vision (Paul Bettany, this time in the flesh) is quite muddled and confusing. The incorporation of the Maximoff twins is awkward and they feel more like accessories than needed additions. This Quicksilver doesn't come anywhere close to the memorable prankish Quicksilver from Days of Future Past. The pacing of the film is so ramped that it feels like the movie is falling over itself to get to the next large-scale action set piece. At 140 minutes, they could have removed one or two action pieces and devoted more time to streamlining and cleaning up the narrative.
And the action sequences start off with a bang but they invariably fizzle out. The opening sequence begins with a Birdman-styled tracking shot to connect all our fighters, and it's a fun way to kick things off while visually tying together the team. The Hulk vs. Iron Man brawl is fun for a while, partly because it harkens back to the pleasures of the first film, namely watching our heroes battle each other as much as the villains. After a while, the CGI onslaught becomes overwhelming and just dulls the senses. You're watching CGI smash into other CGI and then keep smashing, with little variation. The disappointment with the action is that it too often feels weightless and hollow. It has glimmers of fun but it can't hold onto these glimmers because the action doesn't change. It gets bigger and more chaotic, yes, but it doesn't develop with organic complications and real attention to setting. These big battles could happen anywhere because they almost all descend into simply fighting amidst rubble. Even Iron Man 3 found ways to spice up its action set pieces through complications, limitations, and clear differentiation. Perhaps this is a larger outcry of fatigue with the overall state of CGI overkill in effects-driven films. The concluding fight versus Ultron and his many copies just feels like the same scene on repeat but in slightly different locations. Whedon has shown an affinity to coordinate exciting and satisfying action sequences, but you just feel like the pressure and demands get the better of him.
However, every moment with Ultron onscreen is a highpoint because of the malicious cattiness of Spader (TV's The Blacklist). He's a perfect fit for a character who is at turns childish and petty, bonkers, and condescending. In some ways he's like a giant robotic teenager who thinks he's just above the rest of these so-called adults. It's such an enjoyable villain, an area of real need in most MCU films (Loki can't be everywhere for every movie), that I wanted more and more of him. My friend and critical colleague Ben Bailey describes Ultron as the villainous alternative Tony Stark, and Whedon does a fine job of laying out the parallels, especially with regards to ego. It's a weird reunion for the stars of 1987's Less Than Zero.
The most boring characters, i.e. the humans, are the ones that get the biggest expansion for character development, with mixed results. Let's face it, Hawkeye is never going to be anyone's favorite Avenger. I think even he acknowledges this in a moment that almost breaks down the fourth wall ("None of this makes sense. I'm fighting with a bow and arrow."). Hawkeye's personal life is given a spotlight and it sets up an obvious worry that he's going to bite it by film's end. If there was an expendable member of this team, it would have to be Hawkeye. The added attention and personal attachments seem like a dead giveaway that he's going to be dead. I don't think I was any more invested in his character knowing about his hidden life outside the Avengers, but I certainly played a game of, "Is this gonna be it?" as the film continued. Black Widow started as an interesting character, a spy trying to make amends for her bloody past, or the "red in [her] ledger," as they referred in the previous film. Her budding romance with Banner makes some sense but it still feels like the character is being forced into Romantic mode not because of her character but mostly because she has a vagina. Any romance with a guy who turns green and monstrous seems like it might be best as unrequited. She's also defined by a past trauma that, while upsetting and cruel, is also a bit too tied into her identity as Woman/Mother. It's an unfortunate positioning for what is an inherently interesting character (the slut shaming of the character in promotional interviews by certain Avengers cast members is also highly unfortunate). Can't we get a Black Widow movie yet, Marvel?
An aspect of Age of Ultron I did enjoy was how conscious the heroes are about mitigating collateral damage and especially human casualties. At every turn, the Avengers are thinking about saving those caught in the cross-hairs first. They go out of their way to save those left behind. I think, and I'm not alone in this conclusion, that Whedon is directly responding to the disaster porn that was Zack Snyder's miserly Man of Steel. The latest Superman movie bothered me with how callous it was with human life, treating devastating city-wide 9/11-style destruction as mere entertainment. As Superman and Zod were colliding through every damn building in Metropolis, you knew thousands if not millions of unseen people were perishing in this rather pointless melee. Whedon's band of heroes places a priority on human life regardless of region.
It would be disingenuous of me to say Age of Ultron is not entertaining. Whedon is still a terrific storyteller and that still shines through the troubled areas and spotty plotting. The action makes good use of the various heroes and their abilities, providing fun combos like Cap hurling his super shield so Thor can redirect it further with his hammer. The use of humor was one of the bigger enjoyments of the first Avengers, and while it's still abundant and enjoyable here as well I'd say it's overdone. When every character is cracking quips every fourth line of dialogue, it pulls you out of the movie and the stakes feel lesser. The running joke where the Avengers make fun of Captain America for his prudish sensibilities on profanity is a joke that works at first but then loses all sense of fun as it's pounded into the ground on repetition. The larger set pieces each have their moments to delight, especially the opening and the Hulk vs. Iron Man battle. Age of Ultron isn't a bad movie and it has some truly great moments and great character moments and payoffs, but it's only moments. The plot meant to connect the dots is too labored with the burden of setting up several Marvel franchises. In the MCU pecking order, I'd place Age of Ultron right around Iron Man 2 quality (another movie compromised by the extra burden of setting up other movies, namely The Avengers).
It's sure to set box-office records and I imagine fans of the original will happily lap up another super team-up, but Avengers: Age of Ultron is something of a disappointment for me. The more I think about it the fun parts become a little duller and I find more areas of criticism. It's just not as fun a movie experience, and that's due to the rushed and muddled story and too many characters. After the critical and commercial success of the first film, I doubt that Whedon could have produced a film that would live up to the sky-high expectations, but that doesn't excuse the finished product. It feels like Whedon had to struggle to pull this one off, especially with the added demands, and I can't blame him for wanting a break from the MCU. The Russo brothers who so dazzled audiences with their direction of Captain America: The Winter Soldier will be stepping in to direct the next Avengers sequel(s). I hope they're up to the task because the burden of carrying a billion-dollar franchise with its tendrils connected to other franchises appears to have been overwhelming for one of the greatest storytellers of a generation. Enjoy Age of Ultron but be wary of what the future holds for the larger MCU.
Nate's Grade: B-

Josh Lewis

Phase 2 has not been kind to Marvel. Not only were Iron Man 3 and Thor: The Dark World disappointments, but Age of Ultron was the ultimate capper of… MorePhase 2 has not been kind to Marvel. Not only were Iron Man 3 and Thor: The Dark World disappointments, but Age of Ultron was the ultimate capper of disappointment. Not resembling anything that made the original Avengers a massive critical and commercial success, Age of Ultron feels hollow and completely pointless to the overall plot of this universe. This was just one long, massive action sequence after another with a nonsensical plot and zero character development. It was like they completely disregarded that Winter Soldier, Iron Man 3, and other films even happened in between the two Avengers films. Tony Stark in particular did not resemble himself hardly at all and was not the spark plug he has been for the series. The forced romance between Banner and Romanoff that came out of the nowhere completely obliterated the developments in Winter Soldier. It as like the filmmakers knew they would make a ton of money regardless of what they did and needed a filler film while they come up with the real plot for the follow up to this film. That's exactly what this was: filler. It does still have some humorous moments and good special effects which is why I still gave it the score I did, but this is still one of my biggest disappointments in quite some time.

Flutie Archibald

Never quite reaches the bar set by the first, but let's be honest, that was special since it was the first time they "assembled". This while… MoreNever quite reaches the bar set by the first, but let's be honest, that was special since it was the first time they "assembled". This while movie has a different kind of vibe, with lots of darkness in amongst the banter, humor, and action. I like the attention and detail they paid to characters they did, and it's a great primer to lead into Phase 3. It's great having the gang all back together, and Summer 2015 is off to a great start!

Drake Tsui

I think the best way to describe Age of Ultron is a lot of "great" moments that come together to simply make a "good" movie.
There's a… MoreI think the best way to describe Age of Ultron is a lot of "great" moments that come together to simply make a "good" movie.
There's a lot to love, blatant fanservice aside (Hulkbuster armor, Warmachine/Falcon cameo etc.) there are probably several resonating scenes within the film that you'll absolutely adore. However, when all these little things come together you're almost left with a feeling of dissatisfaction.
Marvel is evolving filmmaking and Age of Ultron isn't really a movie in the traditional sense, it's an episode. It spends roughly 35% of screentime setting up a healthy future for the Marvel franchise from the Infinity Gauntlet, to Civil War and the Avengers initiative to Thor's Ragnarok etc. there's a plethora of nuance that hints at world building material that hinders the quality of a standalone film.
And that I'm actually pretty cool with! It's just that people expecting a movie in what we've come to understand them as may be taken back by this particular approach of filmmaking. For example we aren't given ample time to breath anymore, ever, with the incredibly large cast we're quickly dictated to feel a certain way about a character almost immediately. Relationships rapidly develop and fall, (Natasha x Bruce) identifying backgrounds come out of nowhere (Clint the family man), likeability must be established so we feel something upon their passing (Quicksilver), and it's not that any of it doesn't make sense but directors are going to have to start being careful at the hasty rate they present us all these "mini-stories" or else we'll choke before we can swallow any of them.
Due to this relentless velocity, a lot of the movie does in fact come off contrive. Like cleverly using Wanda's powers to give character development through flashbacks or abruptly revealing Clint the everyday man because a team of "gods" needs someone down-to-earth to keep them relatable or creating a "much needed" romance out of a plot device required to control the Hulk. These are a few examples but you get the idea, when convenience is seen as a writing tool it's quickly interpreted as a sham.
The plot isn't as intelligent as I had hoped, themes of global instability due to the Avengers dominance as a potential military force that were touched upon in "Winter Soldier" wasn't revisited nor were politics like backlash from other countries due to collateral damage from the Hulkbuster vs Hulk fight. Where has the relevant social commentary that made the original "Iron Man" such a hit gone to?
Another issue I personally had with the film was Ultron's portrayal, his familiarity and constant use of humor, an incredibly human trait, was really off-putting! He's not the enigmatic, cold, omnipotent robotic being he was meant to be. There were a lot of stellar moments for the character though, like the scene where he accidentally rips the man's arm off like a child feeling anger for the first time, forgetting the fragility of the human body. It was perfect! Or his final conversation with Vision before his death, also a really well written point that I truly enjoyed.
I also enjoyed Natasha's past with the Red Room and her coming together with Bruce as a couple, Ironman and Warmachine blasting shit out of the sky, Hawkeye helping Wanda overcome her fears, Steve telling Tony how he had come to terms with his past and found his new home...
There really is a never ending list of wonderful moments in Age of Ultron but that's what the movie is. A lot of commendable individual scenes but when they come together to be enjoyed as a coherent story it simply stands as "good" entertainment. Again though, that's not so bad if you accept the fact that Marvel is evolving what defines a movie. They're now episodes of something much larger, a constant growing world that should be viewed subsequently of each other.
It may not have the novelty or grandeur of the original film, but what Age of Ultron tells us is that Avengers movies will always be above-par entertainment. Never forgetting the importance of blending action with emotion and character. They also tell us "Hey you didn't love this movie? Fine we have a lot more in store for you in the future that you'll probably like anyway"
Which y'know, is fucking smart money-making. $__$